Ken Gernander Fired As Coach, Chris Drury New Wolf Pack GM

The New York Rangers named Chris Drury as GM of the club's AHL affiliate in Hartford on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Drury, a Connecticut native, burst upon the scene as the star of the world champion Trumbull Little League team in 1989.

The New York Rangers fired the Wolf Pack's Ken Gernander, who had coached Hartford's AHL affiliate for 10 seasons. Gernander, 47, had been with the Wolf Pack as a player or coach since 1997.

The move was one of many made Tuesday that will redefine the Rangers' front office. Chris Drury will be the general manager of the Wolf Pack, and Rangers senior vice president and assistant general manager Jim Schoenfeld, who had been GM in Hartford, will focus his duties in New York.

"I spoke to Jeff Gorton [the Rangers' GM]," Gernander said. "The organization wanted to make a change. I wasn't necessarily [Gorton's] hire. I was on board before he took over the general manager's position. He wanted to have his own person in place.

"It's obviously pretty unique to be in the same situation for as long as I have. For that, I'm quite grateful. I'm really thankful for my time here. Right now, I'm kind of in my what's next mode."

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Gernander, who lives in Newington, posted a 388-304-84 record in 776 games with the Wolf Pack. The team made the playoffs in five of those 10 seasons, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals in the 2014-15 season. But the Wolf Pack missed the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, including the last two.

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Gernander also played for the Wolf Pack, where he was a team captain and helped the Rangers' affiliate win the Calder Cup in 2000.

The New York Rangers, parent club of the Hartford Wolf Pack, announced on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, that longtime coach Ken Gernander was out and Connecticut's own Chris Drury was being installed as the GM in Hartford.

Gernander's replacement was not announced.

"I want to thank Ken for his tireless work and dedication to the Wolf Pack and the Rangers organization," Schoenfeld said in a statement. "He represented the organization the right way, both on and off the ice. I have had the good fortune working closely with Kenny as a player, assistant coach, and head coach over the last 12 years and wish him all the best going forward."

Drury, who rose to fame leading Trumbull's Little League team to the world championship in 1989, just completed his first season as assistant general manager in New York.

Before receiving his promotion, the Rangers had denied permission to the Buffalo Sabres to interview Drury for their vacant general manager's position.

Gernander played 14 professional seasons, the last 11 in the Rangers' organization with their AHL affiliates in Binghamton (1994–97) and Hartford (1997–2005). He served as Hartford's captain for a decade.

He is still the Wolf Pack's franchise record holder in games played (599) and playoff games played (78). Gernander also ranks second all time in goals (160), assists (187) and points (347) in Hartford franchise history.

After his retirement as a player, Gernander spent two seasons as Hartford's assistant coach. Then on July 23, 2007, the Wolf Pack announced Gernander would replace Schoenfeld as coach after Schoenfeld had been promoted to assistant general manager of the Rangers.

Gernander said the Rangers have discussed the possibility of him remaining in the organization.

"Not to discuss any details, but I've been offered by New York to stay in some capacity," Gernander said. "Not with the Wolf Pack, but with the organization. It's something I'm considering. It's a real big decision, and it's too early for me to say with any certainty where I go from here."

Drury won the Hobey Baker Award at Boston University as college hockey's top player in 1998. Drury, 40, had a terrific NHL career from 1998-2011 with four franchises: Colorado, Calgary, Buffalo and the Rangers. He was the NHL rookie of the year in 1998 with Colorado, where would play on a Stanley Cup champion in 2001.

Drury skated in 892 games, registering 255 goals and 360 assists along with 468 penalty minutes. Drury scored at least 20 goals in nine seasons, and he reached at least 50 points in eight seasons. In addition, Drury's team made the playoffs in nine of his 12 seasons in the NHL, and his team advanced to the conference finals on six occasions.

Drury also played for the United States Olympic team in 2002, 2006 and 2010, and he was named captain of the Rangers in 2008, just the second American captain in the history of the franchise, joining another Connecticut native, Brian Leetch.

Drury is on the path to be an NHL general manager someday. He joined the Rangers as director of player development in September of 2015 and one year later was promoted to assistant GM.